James Harden will exit from the Houston Rockets soon and this the superstar made clear notwithstanding the roster improvements made by the team's management. The Rockets were hoping that the arrival of John Wall and DeMarcus Cousins would make a difference but the three-time scoring champion still wants out.
It's no question that the loss of Harden will be felt by the team but Boogie said his new squad is not yet of the running. The latest Rockets signing seemed convinced that even minus the former MVP, Houston will stay a mighty contender for the title.
"I think we're absolutely a threat ... I think we can compete in the West, we'll fly under the radar," Cousins was reported as saying.
The big man's optimism is not misplaced at all, according to Clutch Points, adding that during Harden's decision not to report for the preseason games, the Rockets showed signs of competence as if not minding the absence of the superstar.
Specifically, Cousins and Wall made a good impression and Christian Wood appeared ready for his breakout season in the underway campaign. And new head coach Stephen Silas is just thankful that the players on hand are committed to come out and win as evidenced during the preseason.
Silas, however, will still have to deal with the prospect of seeing Harden go, and when the guard leaves, the Rockets will stand to lose a potent offensive weapon. Early in the season, the eight-time All-Star proved why he is a prized asset.
Harden averaged 39 points per game and over 12 assists, and his contribution to Houston's cause will be sorely missed, no question. To be sure, the Rockets' loss will be a rival NBA team's gain, and according to Fadeaway World, that beneficiary would likely be the Philadelphia 76ers.
Citing the information shared by Brian Windhorst of ESPN, the report said the Sixers are favored to land Harden and for a simple reason. The Sixers have the players - that would be Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons - that the Rockets deemed are worthy of the sacrifice to release Harden.
In the same way, the Rockets are aware of Harden's value. For now, Philadelphia seemed unwilling to make deal with Houston that includes signing off Embiid or Simmons. But Windhorst said the Sixers will eventually realize that trading for the MVP-caliber is worth the trouble.
The James Harden sweepstakes is making for a suspenseful development in the NBA and the team to win the bet will certainly be on a title run this season. There is no reason to believe the Sixers would not want to be that organization.
